Spherical shell laser sail would simplify interstellar laser sails by getting rid of the need for orientation and solve the beam riding problem

The stability of a light sail riding on a laser beam is analyzed both analytically and numerically. Conical sails on Gaussian beams, which have been studied in the past, are shown to be unstable in general. A new architecture for a passively stable sail and beam configuration is proposed. The novel spherical shell sail design …

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China begins developing a spaceplane that is targeting operations by 2030

China has launched a program to develop hybrid spacecraft. The vehicle is expected to make space travel much cheaper if it proves successful. According to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the new vehicle will be powered by multiple engines in different phases of the flight into orbit. It seems like it will be spaceplane …

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